So you want to get a job in a Creative Department!
by Julian Gratton
These days you need more than just a great Portfolio of work to get yourself a job in a Creative Department. You need a certain drive and attitude that will get your Book noticed, and help you stand out from the other great Candidates out there who are competing for the same role.
It can’t have escaped you that jobs are thin on the ground at the moment in this industry. So I’ve written this posting to not only give you some essential advice when you get in front of someone like me… but also some advice on how to market yourself so someone like me is impressed enough to make time in their day to see you.
Don’t rely on Emails or Recruitment Consultants
When I was a Student taking my Book around various agencies, a very highly respected Creative Director told me one thing that I still firmly believe today… ‘If you’re good you don’t need a Recruitment Consultant’.
What he meant by that is that if you are passionate, know how to sell, are creative and not lazy you’ll do whatever it takes to get you and your book in front of someone like me. You’ll Google generic terms to formulate a list of agencies within a region you want to work in. You’ll then do some research into the companies you find and then you’ll call them up and ask to speak to the Creative Director. And if he/she is not free, ask to speak to someone senior in the Creative Department.
Yes I may use Recruitment Consultants, but someone who comes to me of their own accord will always get seen before someone who comes from them.
And if you manage to get the Creative Director’s Email address, the worst thing you can do is send it without a follow-up call. You need to show you are hungry and determined to get a job in this industry… so just sending an Email thinking you will get a response is naïve.
Courtesy of Gapingvoid.com
Oh by the way… if you do send an Email make sure you get the recipients name right. I’ve lost count of how many job enquiry Emails I have received that are addressed to Justin, Jeremy and Adrian!
Needless to say, there is only one thing that happens to those.
Do your research
I’ll never forget the young Designer who came to see me for a job and had not done any research into Red C and the work we do… not only that, he didn’t even know I was the Creative Director. Needless to say his interview lasted approximately three minutes (and that was being generous).
The Internet is a wonderful thing and it’s wise to take a look at the agency you are going to see. Not only that… the power of Google is fantastic, why not use it and do a search on the person who is interviewing you. No doubt you’ll find out what awards they have won, whether they have a LinkedIn profile… which will tell you where they have worked in the past… which may give you clues as to how they got the job they are in.
It may all sound a little ‘Stalker like’, but what you are doing is arming yourself with knowledge that may be useful in an interview situation… remember, flattery will get you everywhere.
Check your handshake
Along with arriving on time one of the things that always helps me form an opinion of someone is their handshake. A handshake can tell you a lot about a person… a firm one usually means you’re more of an extrovert, open to experiences and less neurotic… perfect for working in a Creative Department.
You also need to understand that many Creative Directors are looking to grow and develop staff with the ultimate aim of not only making a great Creative… but making a great Creative who is Client facing. One who can concept the big idea or craft some quality design or copy then take it to a Client and sell it with passion and conviction.
Your Portfolio
Showing your work to a Creative Director is that moment when all your hard work will pay off. Whether you are showing your work Digitally or with a traditional Portfolio you need to take charge of how your work is seen.
This may make you laugh… but think of your work like the movie Star Wars. Have an absolute belter of an opening; one that will grab attention and really make the person seeing your work sit up. You then need to litter it with a few key pieces that carry their interest until you get to the big bang at the end that makes someone like me think ‘I have to hire this person’.
Don’t forget though, there are lots of companies out there and not all of them do the same kind of work. So the biggest mistake you can make is to think that one Portfolio will be suitable to them all. You need to make sure you have a body of work that is not only impressive in showing some truly great ideas, writing or designs… but shows off how you will benefit the company you are seeing.
In addition, don’t make the mistake of only taking finished pieces of work. Take along with you any scrapbooks or layout pads you have… show off how your mind works and how you get to the finished idea. Remember above all that you are selling yourself and if you don’t make the effort… there are plenty of people out there who will.
Have a life
Rich and varied life experiences make for the best Creatives, whatever field of Creativity they work in. You’ll be amazed at how many people lead a life that does not allow for many new experiences… there is nothing wrong with that… just as long as those types of people do not try to get a job in a Creative Department.
As a Creative you owe it to yourself to try and do something new or something different as often as possible. The more you feed your head and the more you fill it with a variety of different things… the more rich and varied ideas you will have to translate into what ever form of Creativity you have chosen to specialise in.
Be a team player
A Creative Department is an incredibly fun and rewarding place to work. But it’s also a place that can be very demanding, which is why when hiring someone I always make sure they have the right kind of personality… a personality that will enable the Department and the Company to grow and service our clients well.
So what’s the right kind of personality? Firstly, being someone who supports and works for the entire Creative Department is massively important. Someone who, when a late night calls as it often does, is there to lend a hand and does not lose their focus. Also the right personality is someone who is dedicated to not only improving themselves, but those around them as well.
I hope that helps
I sincerely hope that if you are experienced and looking for a position or are a Graduate looking for your first job that this posting helps you in some way. Remember, the strength of your Book will take you a long way… but there is a lot more to getting a job than just having a great Portfolio.
Tags: Advertising Agency, Creative Department, CV Submission, Design Agency, Digital Marketing Agency, Direct Marketing Agency, Direct Response Advertising Agency, Getting a job, Graduate, Graduate Recruitment, Portfolio Review
